5 Ways to Create a Meaningful Engagement Session

You’re engaged! I’m so excited for you! This is such a special time in your relationship — one that you’ll want to cherish forever! One of the ways you can document this milestone is with an engagement photoshoot!

The perfect engagement session will reflect you and your fiance as a couple. Not only should it be authentic to who you are, but it should give the world a taste of your personality as a couple. 

As a Florida engagement photographer, there are so many ways I’ve seen my clients create beautiful and memorable engagement sessions that truly represent them and their relationship. Whether it’s by choosing the right location, outfits, or themes, it’s always more special to create photos that reflect who you and your fiancé are. 

Here are a few ways to create a meaningful engagement session that you’ll remember forever!

1. Choose a Memorable Location For Your Engagement Photos 

One of my favorite tips for creating a meaningful Florida engagement session is to put some extra thought into the location. A pretty backdrop can be found anywhere, but why not take it a step further? 

Consider all of the places where your love story has taken you — where you first met, first exchanged “I love yous,” or got engaged. Choosing a place that holds sentimental value for your engagement photoshoot will make your portraits even more special. You’ll always remember why you chose that location and you’ll have gorgeous photos to reflect on for years to come!

If you met in your high school chemistry class, why not go back to school… for your engagement photos? If you said “I love you” for the first time at a local park, why not go back there? If you got engaged at a favorite restaurant or the beach, you might want to go back thre there to relive the moment and capture your engagement session! 

Another option is to choose a location you’ve always wanted to visit together! This adds a little adventure to your day and allows you to share in a new experience with each other, which can make your engagement photos even more fun and exciting. If you and your fiance have always wanted to go to a state park, a botanical garden, a zoo, an amusement park, or anywhere else with a great view, there’s no better time than your engagement session!

The right location will not only create a stunning backdrop for your Florida engagement photos, but it can also make your images — and the whole experience — even more meaningful!

2. Show Off Your Hobbies and Interests at Your Engagement Session

Including your interests and hobbies in your engagement photos can make them more meaningful AND show off your incredible connection! These are some of my favorite images as a Florida engagement photographer. They allow for candid images that can really tell a couple’s love story and offer an authentic, genuine look into their relationship!

Do you two have a hobby or activity that you’re in love with? There are so many options you can include in your engagement photos. The best choice for this type of session is the one that the two of you enjoy doing together or have always wanted to try doing together! Do you love horseback riding, playing in the waves at the ocean, canoeing down a river, painting on the beach while sipping a cup of wine, or sitting on the sand at sunrise or sunset? You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose do to for your engagement session as long as it feels true to you!

If you and your partner love to dance, why not let it shine in your engagement pictures? You could hit the studio or dance in your backyard or on the beach! I once had a couple dance to their favorite songs for their Florida engagement photos. This allowed me to capture them in their element with songs that brought sentimental value and made them feel emotions that might not have been felt otherwise. 

If you have any pets, it always makes for such a fun session! Imagine all of the cute moments you’ll be able to capture for your engagement photos with your pet by your side! 

3. Select a Creative Theme For Your Engagement Photoshoot

Do you have a theme in mind for your engagement photos? This can be a fun and creative way to capture your love story. A theme can make your engagement session entirely your own! These are the kinds of sessions that I live for! 

I have been lucky to shoot a number of engagement sessions with unique themes throughout my time as a Florida engagement photographer. I had one couple do a Tangled themed engagement shoot, in honor of their favorite Disney movie. Some of the other themes I’ve gotten to shoot include a playful beachy theme, a western theme with horses, and a vintage downtown session. 

A theme doesn’t have to be over the top in order to make your engagement photos unique. I’ve had couples bring lanterns to beaches or gardens. The end result? Gorgeous, romantic shots that they'll be able to treasure forever!

I’ve even seen couples include their vehicles in their Florida engagement photos. If you have a sports car, a vintage car, an old truck, or another vehicle the two of you love, you can always use it as a prop in your engagement session.

The best theme is the theme that reflects the two of you as a couple! It shows off your personality and makes your engagement photoshoot even more memorable in the long run!

4. Choose the Right Attire For Your Engagement Photos

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: What you wear to your engagement session matters! The outfits you decide on can change the entire vibe of the shoot. 

It’s important to choose outfits that are flattering. You should feel comfortable and happy in what you wear — this means physically, too! When you look AND feel your best, it makes for a more enjoyable experience and leads to even better engagement photos!

Plus, let’s be honest: we’re documenting one of the most special moments of you and your fiance’s life. You’ll want to look good!

There are so many ways you can take it up a notch when it comes to dressing for your engagement session and wearing coordinating outfits is one of them! You can bring cowboy boots and cowboy hats if you want to do a western theme or you can throw on your favorite sports jerseys to document your shared love for football for your engagement photos. The sky’s the limit and the opportunities are endless.

A Florida engagement session is the perfect time and place to personalize your attire! Do you have clothing or accessories that are significant in your culture or unique to your relationship? Wear that! If you met while working at the local mall as gift wrappers, cute Christmas sweaters may be a meaningful way to include that in your engagement session. Now is your time to go big and create engagement portraits that truly represent you!

5.  Choose a Photographer Who Cares About Capturing Your Love Story and Vision As Much As You Do!

You’re only in this phase of your life and your relationship once. It’s such an exciting time, and you want photos that you’ll be able to look back at and smile at 10 or 20 years from now. This is why it’s so important to choose an engagement photographer who cares about your theme and vision and is just as excited to bring it to life as you are! This truly makes a huge difference when it comes to the quality of your engagement photos. Finding an engagement photographer who goes above and beyond to ensure your love story is captured exactly the way you envision!

Are You Ready to Plan Your Engagement Session?

Do you have an engagement photoshoot theme you want to put into action? Are you looking for ways to make your engagement photos unique and memorable? These are the types of things I LIVE for! 

If you’re looking for a Southwest Florida engagement photographer, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I would love to help you create a meaningful engagement session that you’ll be able to treasure for the rest of your life!